Arroyos to file contempt-of-court charges against De Lima, immigration officers

Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Mike Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, are bent on filing contempt charges against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and immigration officers who barred the former first couple from leaving the country Tuesday night.

The Arroyos’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the charges would be filed as soon as possible, saying De Lima disrespected the Supreme Court by refusing to recognize the temporary restraining order on the watch list against the Arroyos.

“Walang konsensiya (She doesn’t have a conscience).  Sabi nga ni Fr. [Joaquin]  Bernas (As Fr. Bernas said), this is no longer injustice, this is already cruelty,” Arroyo said.

“We will file charges against Secretary de Lima and immigration officers, those who did not allow us,” he said.

He made the statement shortly after his wife, the former President, was wheeled back to a waiting ambulance at 9:30 p.m., just a little over an hour since she arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to attempt an 8:55 p.m. flight to Hong Kong.

“Biro niyo she was subjected to the stress na pumunta siya dito thinking makakapagpagamot, ngunit ’di pa siya pinayagan umalis. She was very stoic pero bakas po sa mukha ang pagkadismaya (She was subjected to the stress of coming here at the airport, thinking that she could get medical treatment abroad but still she was not allowed to leave.  She was very stoic but dismay could be seen on her face),” Topacio told reporters.

“We will have to file contempt charges against those na pumigil sa kaniya dahil it’s [the order] clear…di pa ginalang ang Korte Suprema. Walang galang talaga ang pamahalaang Aquino sa legal processes,” Topacio said. (We will have to file contempt charges against those that stopped her because it’s (the Supreme Court order) clear…They did not respect the Supreme Court.  The Aquino government has no respect for legal processes.)